Volunteers make the wall exhibition possible

SIDNEY – When the Shelby County Historical Society displays the AVTT-TWF Travel Wall, a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC, September 16-19, and a Cross Field, September 12-19, in Custenborder Park, 449 Riverside Drive, Sidney, it will be volunteers who will make the event possible.

SCHS Director Tilda Phlipot believes that the project, which includes not only the exhibits but also a commemorative flame, an escort motorcycle, speakers, school tours, group concerts, a car show, daily on-site prayers and a bench dedication, a had the support of nearly 1,000 volunteers.

“It’s amazing to think of how many people helped get everything ready,” she said.

One of those volunteers is Mark Harrod of Lakeview. He was tasked with coordinating a motorcycle escort of the truck in which the replica of the wall moves. Any rider can participate on September 15 by meeting the truck at Wapakoneta VFW 8445, 712 Dixie Highway, 5:30 pm The escort will travel 22 miles along County Road 25A to Sidney.

“All two- and three-wheeler motorcycles are welcome,” said Harrod. “For safety reasons, four-wheeled vehicles will not be allowed.”

Residents along the route are invited to encourage the escort as they pass. In Sidney, it will circle Court Square before continuing to Custenborder Park, where the wall will be erected the next day.

This is the third time that the historical society has exhibited the wall. Harrod said he doesn’t know how many bikers have competed in the past or how many to expect this year.

“But I was still the last bike. Sidney’s cops would call me when the first ones arrived (in Sidney). They were there, and I was still sitting there (in Wapakoneta) with my crutch down (waiting to be the last in line). That’s a lot of bikes, ”he said.

Another volunteer is Chris Wooddell, from rural Sidney, who coordinates an annual car show at Tawawa Park, 12 Tawawa Drive, Sidney. This year’s show will be in conjunction with the wall exhibit.

“It makes it a bit more special,” said Wooddell. It is scheduled for September 18 from noon to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 registrants and gift bags will be awarded to the first 150.

“And we have door prizes,” said Wooddell.

Past shows have attracted 225-250 cars. In addition to cars from all eras to look at, visitors can take rides in Model T Fords. The route crosses a covered bridge in the park. Food trucks will also be on site.

“There is no better location for a cruise. Duane Gaier (of the City Parks Department) has really helped us make this a success over the past four years, ”said Wooddell. After the auto show, owners are invited to drive through Sidney from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“A lot of people park in the courthouse square, eat something and watch the cars,” he said.

Other volunteers built and painted 1,000 crosses for the exhibit, helped track the names of nearly 7,500 Americans who have died in service since 1975, prepared speeches for school groups and the public, and signed up to install and enliven the exhibits so that they can be open 24 hours a day from the time they are erected until 3 p.m. on September 19, when the event ends.

Some of these volunteers were involved the three times the historical society presented the wall to Sidney.

Rich Wallace, SCHS board member and long-time volunteer, explained why it’s important to give area residents another chance to see it.

“It’s a common human behavior for us to forget about bad experiences in our lives. However, there are some things that we still need to remember, ”he said. “There are lessons we must not forget. Immediately after the Civil War, Union General John Logan drafted ordinances establishing Memorial Day. His order read in part: “Let our actions bear witness to the present (and) to future generations that we as a people have not forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic.” As Americans, we are compelled to remember the sacrifices of the men who fought and died in the conflict in Vietnam. Thousands of soldiers are missing in action. Bringing the wall to our community is a memory and a history lesson. We must never forget.

He also, on behalf of the Board of Directors, recognized the contribution of the many volunteers.

“The 1,000 volunteers who will help while the wall remains here is not a tribute to historical society but a reflection of the character of our community. We will never forget, ”he said.

All events are free and open to the public. See the sidebar for a full schedule. For more information about an event, to volunteer, or to schedule a school visit, call 937-498-1653.